This Land is Your Land, This Land is (Not) My Land, was written by a woman who emmigrated to the U.S. from Bosnia as a young girl. It’s sobering to think that many who come to the U.S. for refuge from terror, poverty and hopelessness in their homeland find conditions here in the U.S. to be intolerable as well.

It goes without saying that our President has only fueled the flames of hatred against immigrants and, I believe, all classes of people struggling to make a living, follow their non-Christian beliefs (and even Christian beliefs that espouse personal perspectives rather than condemning all those outside of one’s own), and get justice for the wrongs committed against them or security in their own communities.

The Washington New Americans Program (WNA) connects immigrants and refugees in Washington State to the information and legal services needed to successfully naturalize and exercise their civic voice. In the interest of changing a flawed system, we also advocate to reduce the structural barriers that keep many from achieving U.S. citizenship.

WNA is a partnership between the State of Washington and OneAmerica, a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to building power in immigrant and refugee communities. With the support of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and community organizations across Washington, we provide naturalization information and assistance with N-400 and I-912 forms. We organize approximately a dozen free citizenship application workshops around Washington State every year, and our affiliate organizations offer assistance in their offices year-round, by appointment.

Read about immigrants and refugees who recently became US citizens by opening the link below.

Facing History and StoryCorps provides lessons about American history and social issues designed to promote critical thinking skills, empathy and tolerance, and a sense of civic responsibility. In addition to the link to “(Re)building Classroom Commuity Post-Election” below, the site also offers the posts and topics:

I would like to ask you to share the poem below with as many people as you can so we can revive these principles and, in so doing, restore our country’s reputation as a place of refuge and where dreams are possible before it’s lost forever. I believe we need to understand what people experience, foster cooperation over competition, and allow everyone a chance to shine, discover their unique qualities while appreciating what others have to offer–whatever that may be. I also believe we should value all contributions and abilities, not only the “academic” skills so prized today. Artists, caretakers, entrepeneurs, nonprofessional athletes, plumbers, mechanics, actors, beauticians, servers, customer service representatives deserve just as much appreciation and admiration for what they do as we currently give to the people who earn 10x as much–or more.

Please take time to thank those who give you joy and help you in some way–and to find out something about them. You may discover that you have something in common with them, learn something fascinating or make a new friend!